RFID PRINTER SYSTEM, METHOD OF PRINTING AND SETS OF RECORD MEMBERS

SYSTEME D'IMPRESSION A IDENTIFICATION PAR RADIOFREQUENCE, METHODE D'IMPRESSION ET ENSEMBLE D'ELEMENTS D'ENREGISTREMENT

English Abstract

A system and method for printing both record members having RFID transponders disposed thereon and record members not having RFID transponders disposed thereon. In one embodiment, a RFID printer receives data to be printed on a record member and determines if the data includes RFID data. If the received data includes RFID data, the printer prints a RFID record member according to the received data. If the received data does not include RFID data, the printer transmits the data to a non-RFID printer for printing. In another embodiment, a non-RFID printer receives data to be printed on a record member and determines if the data includes RFID data. If the received data does not include RFID data, the printer prints a record member according to the received data. If the received data does include RFID data, the printer transmits the data to a RFID printer for printing.

French Abstract

Il s'agit d'un système et d'une méthode qui permettent d'imprimer des éléments d'enregistrement comportant des répondeurs à identification par radiofréquence (RFID) et des éléments d'enregistrement sans répondeurs RFID. Dans une version, une imprimante RFID reçoit les données à imprimer sur un élément d'enregistrement et elle détermine si les données comprennent les données RFID. Dans l'affirmative, l'imprimante imprime un élément d'enregistrement RFID conformément aux données reçues. Si les données reçues ne comprennent pas les données RFID, l'imprimante transmet les données à une imprimante sans RFID pour l'impression. Dans une autre version, une imprimante sans RFID reçoit les données à imprimer sur un élément d'enregistrement et elle détermine si les données comprennent les données RFID. Si les données reçues ne comprennent pas les données RFID, l'imprimante imprime un élément d'enregistrement, conformément aux données reçues. Si les données reçues comprennent les données RFID, l'imprimante transmet les données à une imprimante RFID pour l'impression.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A printer for printing on a web of record members having RFID transponders
disposed thereon, comprising:
a print head capable of printing on a first web;
a RFID writer capable of writing RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on
the
web; and
a controller operable to receive data, the data including at least one of
printing data
to be printed on first record members of the first web and RFID data to be
written to RFID
transponders of the first web, the controller being operable to determine
whether the
received data includes RFID data, wherein if the received data includes RFID
data the
controller controls the RFID writer to write the received RFID data to a RFID
transponder
disposed on a record member, and wherein if the received data does not include
RFID data
the controller transmits the received data to a second printer for printing
data on second
record members of a second web.

2. A printer as defined in claim 1, wherein if the received data includes RFID
data to
be written to a RFID transponder and printing data to be printed on an
associated record
member, the controller controls the RFID writer to write the received RFID
data to a RFID
transponder disposed on a record member and controls the print head to print
the printing
data on said record member.

3. A printer as defined in claim 1, further comprising a communication port
couplable
to the second printer, and wherein if the received data does not include RFID
data, the
controller transmits the received data to the second printer via the
communication port.

4. A printer as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to
control the
print head and to provide instructions to the second printer, such that
sequential numbers
are printed on record members by the print head and by the second printer in a
sequence
corresponding to a sequence that data to be printed is received by the
controller.


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5. A printer as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to
control the
first and second printers to print associating indicia on the first and second
record
members.

6. A printer for printing on first and second webs of record members, the
first web
having RFID transponders disposed thereon, comprising:

a print head capable of printing on the first and second webs;
a RFID writer capable of writing RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on
the
first web; and
a controller operable to receive data, the data including at least one of
printing data
to be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written to a RFID
transponder, the
controller operable to determine whether the received data includes RFID data,
wherein if
the received data includes RFID data, the controller controls the RFID writer
to write the
received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member in the
first web,
and wherein if the received data does not include RFID data, the controller
controls the
print head to print the printing data on a record member in the second web.

7. A printer as defined in claim 6, wherein if the received data includes RFID
data to
be written to a RFID transponder and printing data to be printed on the record
member, the
controller controls the RFID writer to write the received RFID data to a RFID
transponder
disposed on a record member in the first web and controls the print head to
print the
printing data on said record member in the first web.

8. A printer as defined in claim 7, wherein the print head is located such
that the first
web can be advanced into printing cooperation with a first portion of the
print head and
the second web can be advanced into printing cooperation with a second portion
of the
print head.

9. A printer as defined in claim 6, wherein the controller is operable to
control the
print head such that sequential numbers are printed on record members in the
first web and
record members in the second web in a sequence corresponding to a sequence
that data to
be printed is received by the controller.


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10. A printer as defined in claim 6, wherein the controller is operable to
print
associating indicia on the record members of the first and second webs.

11. A system for printing on record members, comprising:
a first printer comprising:

a print head capable of printing on a first web of record members having
RFID transponders disposed thereon,
a RFID writer capable of writing RFID data to a RFID transponders
disposed on the first web, and
a controller operable to receive data, the data including at least one of
printing data to be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written to
a
RFID transponder, the controller operable to determine whether the received
data
includes RFID data, wherein if the received data includes RFID data, the
controller
controls the RFID writer to write the received RFID data to a RFID transponder

disposed on a record member, and wherein if the received data does not include

RFID data, the controller transmits the received data to a second printer for
printing; and
a second printer capable of printing on a second web of record members,
the second printer being operable to receive data transmitted by the first
printer and
to print the received data on a record member of the second web.

12. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein if the data received by the
controller
includes RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder and printing data to be
printed on
the record member of the first web, the controller controls the RFID writer to
write the
received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member of the
first web
and controls the print head to print the printing data on said record member
of the first
web.

13. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein the first printer further
comprises a
communication port couplable to the second printer and the second printer
comprises a
communication port couplable to the first printer, and wherein if the received
data does not




include RFID data, the controller transmits the received data to the
communication port of
the second printer via the communication port of the first printer.

14. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is operable to
control the
print head and to provide instructions to the second printer, such that
sequential numbers
are printed on record members by the print head and by the second printer in a
sequence
corresponding to a sequence that data to be printed is received by the
controller.

15. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is operable to
control the
first and second printers to print associating indicia on the first and second
record
members.

16. A method for handling input data, the data comprising at least one of
printing data
to be printed on a record member and RFID data to written to a RFID
transponder on a
record member, the method comprising:

receiving, at a first printer, data including at least one of printing data to
be printed
on a record member and RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder;
determining whether the received data includes RFID data;
if the received data includes RFID data, employing the first printer to write
the
received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member; and
if the received data does not include RFID data, transmitting the received
data to a
second printer for printing.

17. A method as defined in claim 16, further comprising:
if the received data includes RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder
and
printing data to be printed on an associated record member, employing the
first printer to
write the received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member
and to
print the printing data on said record member.

18. A method as defined in claim 16, further comprising printing with the
first printer,
and providing instructions to the second printer to print, sequential numbers
on record

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members in a sequence corresponding to a sequence that data to be printed is
received by
the controller.

19. A printer for printing on a web of record members, comprising:
a print head capable of printing on the web; and
a controller operable to receive data, the data including at least one of
printing data
to be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written to a RFID
transponder, the
controller operable to determine whether the received data includes RFID data,
wherein if
the received data does not include RFID data, the controller controls the
print head to print
the printing data on a record member, and wherein if the received data does
include RFID
data, the controller transmits the received data to a second printer for
writing the RFID
data to a RFID transponder in another record member of another web.

20. A printer as defined in claim 19, further comprising a communication port
couplable to the second printer, and wherein if the received data does include
RFID data,
the controller transmits the received data to the second printer via the
communication port.
21. A printer as defined in claim 19, wherein the controller is operable to
control the
print head, and to provide instructions to the second printer, such that
sequential numbers
are printed on record members by the print head and by the second printer in a
sequence
corresponding to a sequence that data to be printed is received by the
controller.

22. A printer as defined in claim 19, wherein the controller controls both
printers to
print associating indicia on the record members of the first and second
printers.

23. A system for printing on record members, comprising:
a first printer comprising:
a first print head capable of printing on a first web of record members, and
a first controller operable to receive data, the data including at least one
of
printing data to be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written to
a
RFID transponder, the first controller operable to determine whether the
received
data includes RFID data, wherein if the received data does not include RFID
data,

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the first controller controls the first print head to print the printing data
on a record
member, and wherein if the received data does include RFID data, the first
controller transmits the received data to a second printer for writing the
RFID data
to a RFID transponder; and
a second printer comprising:
a second print head capable of printing on a second web of record
members,
a RFID writer capable of writing RFID data to a RFID transponder
disposed on the second web, and
a second controller operable to receive data transmitted by the first
printer and to control the RFID writer to write the received RFID data to a
RFID transponder disposed on a record member of the second web.

24. A system as defined in claim 23, wherein if the data received by the first
controller
includes RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder and printing data to be
printed on
an associated record member, the controller transmits the received data to the
second
printer and the second controller controls the RFID writer to write the
received RFID data
to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member of the second web and
controls the
second print head to print the printing data on said record member of the
second web.

25. A system as defined in claim 23, wherein the first printer further
comprises a
communication port couplable to the second printer and the second printer
comprises a
communication port couplable to the first printer, and wherein if the received
data does
include RFID data, the first controller transmits the received data to the
communication
port of the second printer via the communication port of the first printer.

26. A system as defined in claim 23, wherein the first controller is operable
to control
the first print head, and to provide instructions to the second printer, such
that sequential
numbers are printed on record members by the first print head and by the
second print
head in a sequence corresponding to a sequence that data to be printed is
received by the
first controller.


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27. A system for printing on record members, comprising:
a first printer comprising:
a first print head capable of printing on a first web of record members, and
a first controller operable to receive data, the data including at least one
of
printing data to be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written to
a
RFID transponder, the first controller operable to determine whether the
received
data includes RFID data, wherein if the received data does not include RFID
data,
the first controller controls the first print head to print the printing data
on a record
member, and wherein if the received data does include RFID data, the first
controller transmits the received data to a second printer for writing the
RFID data
to a RFID transponder; and
a second printer comprising:
a second print head capable of printing on a second web of record
members,
a RFID writer capable of writing RFID data to a RFID transponder
disposed on the second web, and
a second controller operable to receive data, the data including at
least one of printing data to be printed on a record member and RFID data
to be written to a RFID transponder, the second controller operable to
determine whether the received data includes RFID data, wherein if the
received data does not include RFID data, the second controller transmits
the received data to the first printer for printing, and wherein if the
received
data does include RFID data, the second controller controls the RFID writer
to write the received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record
member of the second web.

28. A system as defined in claim 27, wherein if the data received by the
second
controller includes RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder and printing
data to be
printed on an associated record member, the second controller controls the
RFID writer to
write the received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member
of the
second web and controls the second print head to print the printing data on
said record
member of the second web.


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29. A system as defined in claim 27, wherein the first printer further
comprises a
communication port couplable to the second printer and the second printer
comprises a
communication port couplable to the first printer to enable the exchange of
data between
the first and second printers.

30. A system as defined in claim 27, wherein the first controller is operable
to control
the first print head, and to provide instructions to the second printer, such
that sequential
numbers are printed on record members by the first print head and by the
second print
head in a sequence corresponding to a sequence that data to be printed is
received by the
first controller.

31. A system as defined in claim 27, wherein the second controller is operable
to
control the second print head, and to provide instructions to the first
printer, such that
sequential numbers are printed on record members by the first print head and
by the
second print head in a sequence corresponding to a sequence that data to be
printed is
received by the second controller.

32. A system as defined in claim 27, wherein the printers are controlled to
print
associating indicia on the record members on the first and second webs.

33. A method for handling input data, the data comprising at least one of
printing data
to be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written to a RFID
transponder on a
record member, the method comprising:
receiving, at a first printer, data including at least one of printing data to
be printed
on a record member and RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder;
determining whether the received data includes RFID data;
if the received data includes RFID data, transmitting the received data to a
second
printer for writing the received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a
record
member; and
if the received data does not include RFID data, employing the first printer
to print
the received data on a record member.





34. A method as defined in claim 33, further comprising:
if the received data includes RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder
and
printing data to be printed on an associated record member, transmitting the
received data
to a second printer for writing the received RFID data to a RFID transponder
disposed on
a record member and for printing the printing data on said record member.

35. A method as defined in claim 33, further comprising printing with the
first printer,
and providing instructions to the second printer to print, sequential numbers
on record
members in a sequence corresponding to a sequence that data to be printed is
received by
the controller.

36. A method as defined in claim 33, and printing associating indicia on the
record
members of the first and second printers.

37. A method for handling input data, the data comprising at least one of
printing data
to be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written to a RFID
transponder on a
record member, the method comprising:
receiving input data including at least one of printing data to be printed on
a record
member and RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder in an RFID record
member;
determining whether the input data includes RFID data;
if the input data includes RFID data, directing the data to a first printer
configured
to print record members having RFID transponders disposed thereon and
configured to
write RFID data to the RFID transponders; and
if the input data does not include RFID data, directing the data to a second
printer
to print on non-RFID record members.

38. A method as defined in claim 37, wherein the second printer is configured
to print
on non-RFID record members.


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39. A method as defined in claim 37, further comprising:
if the received data includes RFID data, writing, by the first printer, the
received
RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member; and
if the received data does not comprise RFID data, printing, with the second
printer,
the received data on a record member.

40. A method as defined in claim 39, further comprising:
if the received data includes RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder
and
printing data to be printed on the record member, writing, by the first
printer, the received
RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member and printing, by
the
second printer, the received data on the record member.

41. A method as defined in claim 37, further comprising controlling the first
and
second printers to print sequential numbers on record members in a sequence
corresponding to a sequence that input data to be printed is received.

42. A method as defined in claim 37, including printing indicia on both the
RFID and
non-RFID record members to associate sets of data on the RFID record members
with sets
of related data on the non-RFID record members.

43. A system for printing on record members, comprising:
a first printer configured to print data on a record member and to write RFID
data
to a RFID transponder disposed on said record members;
a second printer configured to print data on a record member; and
a controller operable to receive input data, the input data comprising at
least one of
printing data to be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written to
a RFID
transponder, wherein the controller directs input data that includes RFID data
to the first
printer and directs input data that does not include RFID data to the second
printer.

44. A system as defined in claim 43, wherein the controller is a separate
module
coupled of the first and second printers.


42



45. A system as defined in claim 43, wherein the first and second printers and
the
controller each include a communication port, wherein the controller directs
input data to
the first and second printers via the communication port of the controller and
wherein the
first and second printers receive input data from the controller via their
respective
communication ports.

46. A system as defined in claim 43, wherein the controller is operable to
provide
instructions to the first and second printers for the first and second
printers to print
sequential numbers on record members in a sequence in which input data is
received by
the controller, and wherein the first and second printers are operable to
print sequential
numbers on their respective record members in said sequence.

47. A system for printing on record members, comprising a first printer
comprising a
first print head capable of printing on a first web of record members and a
second printer
comprising a second print head capable of printing on a second web of record
members,
one of the first and second printers comprising a RFID writer capable of
writing RFID
data to a RFID transponder disposed on its web of record members, the first
printer
comprising a controller operable to receive data, the data including at least
one of printing
data to be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written to a RFID
transponder,
the controller operable to determine whether the received data includes RFID
data, the
controller further operable to determine whether to process the received data
with the first
printer or to transmit the received data to the second printer for processing
based on
whether the received data includes RFID data and based on whether the first
printer
includes a RFID writer.

48. A system as defined in claim 47, wherein if the received data includes
RFID data
and the first printer includes a RFID writer, the controller controls the RFID
writer to
write the received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record
member,
wherein if the received data does not include RFID data and the first printer
includes a
RFID writer, the controller transmits the received data to the second printer
for printing,
wherein if the received data includes RFID data and the first printer does not
include a
RFID writer, the controller transmits the received data to the second printer
for writing the

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received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member, and
wherein if
the received data does not include RFID data and the first printer does not
include a RFID
writer, the controller controls the first print head to print the received
data on a record
member.

49. A system as defined in claim 47, wherein the first printer further
comprises a
communication port couplable to the second printer and the second printer
further
comprises a communication port couplable to the first printer, and wherein if
the controller
determines to transmit the received data to the second printer for processing,
the controller
transmits the received data to the communication port of the second printer
via the
communication port of the first printer.

50. A system as defined in claim 47, wherein the controller is operable to
control the
first print head, and to provide instructions to the second printer, such that
sequential
numbers are printed on record members by the first print head and by the
second printer in
a sequence corresponding to a sequence that data to be printed is received by
the
controller.

51. A system as defined in claim 47, wherein the controller is operable to
print
associated indicia on record members in the first and second printers.

52. Method for handling input data, the data comprising at least one of
printing data to
be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written to an RFID
transponder on a
record member on a record member, the method comprising:
receiving input data including at least one of printing data to be printed on
a record
member and RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder in an RFID record
member;
determining whether the input data includes RFID data; and
if the input data includes RFID data, directing the data to a first printer
configured
to print record members having RFID transponders disposed thereon and
configured to
write RFID data to the RFID transponders; and
if the input data does not include RFID data, directing the data to a second
printer
to print on non-RFID record members.


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53. Method as defined in claim 52, wherein the second printer is configured to
print on
non-RFID record members.

54. Method as defined in claim 52, further comprising:
if the received data includes RFID data, writing, by the first printer, the
received
RFID data to an RFID transponder disposed on a record member; and
if the received data does not comprise RFID data, printing, with the second
printer,
the received data on a record member.

55. A method as defined in claim 54, further comprising:
if the received data includes RFID data to be written to an RFID transponder
and
printing data to be printed on the record member, writing, by the first
printer, the received
RFID data to an RFID transponder disposed on a record member and printing, by
the
second printer, the received data on the record member.

56. A method as defined in claim 52, further comprising controlling the first
and
second printers to print sequential indicia on record members in a sequence
corresponding
to a sequence that input data to be printed is received.

57. A method as defined in claim 52, including printing indicia on both the
RFID and
non-RFID record members to associate sets of data on the RFID record members
with sets
of related data on the non-RFID record members.

58. A system for printing on record members, comprising:
a first printer configured to print data on a record member and to write RFID
data
to an RFID transponder disposed on said record members;
a second printer configured to print data on a record member; and
a controller operable to received input data, the input data comprising at
least one
of printing data to be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written
to an RFID
transponder, wherein the controller directs input data that includes RFID data
to the first
printer and directs input data that does not include RFID data to the second
printer.





59. A system as defined in claim 58, wherein the controller is a separate
module
coupled to the first and second printers.

60. A system as defined in claim 58, wherein the first and second printers and
the
controller each include a communication port, wherein the controller directs
input data to
the first and second printers via the communication port of the controller and
wherein the
first and second printers receive input data from the controller via their
respective
communication ports.

61. A system as defined in claim 58, wherein the controller is operable to
provide
instructions to the first and second printers for the first and second
printers to print
sequential indicia on record members in a sequence in which input data is
received by the
controller, and wherein the first and second printers are operable to print
sequential indicia
on their respective record members in said sequence to associate one or more
sets of data
on the RFID record members with one or more sets of related data on the non-
RFID
record members.

62. A system as defined in claim 58, wherein the controller is operable to
provide
instructions to the first and second printers for the first and second
printers to print indicia
on both the RFID and non-RFID record members to associate one or more set of
data on
the RFID record members with one or more sets of related data on the non-RFID
record
members.


46

Description

CA 02521566 2005-09-28
RFID PRINTER SYSTEM. METHOD OF PRINTING AND SETS OF
RECORD MEMBERS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) printer
systems, methods of printing and record members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The following prior art is made of Record: U.S. Patent 5,833,377; U.S. Patent
6,327,972; U.S. Patent 6,481,907; U.S. Patent 6,677,852; and U.S, patent
application
10/222,692, filed August 16, 2002, Publication No. 2004/0032443, published
February
19, 2004; and Canadian patent 2,178,773.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) transponders have been embedded in
record members such as tags, tickets, labels and the like to track inventory.
The data
contained in the transponder is typically read by a stationary RFID reader as
the
inventory with the RFID transponder is carried past the stationary reader on a
conveyor belt or the like. Similarly, stationary RFID writers are typically
used to write
data into the RFID transponder. RFID printers are now required to be capable
of both
printing on record members, such as labels, tags, etc., and capable of writing
to and/or
reading from a RFID transponder contained on the record member.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,972 shows a stationary printer for writing data into a
transponder embedded in a label and for printing data on the same label. The
printer is
connected to a computer via a conductor to receive the data to be printed on
the label
together with data to be written into the transponder in the label. In another
embodiment, a serial number encoded into the RFID transponder in the label is
read
from the transponder so that the serial number can be printed on the same
label.
An International Patent Application bearing International Publication Number
WO 03/029005 discloses a thermal transfer printer that selectively inserts one
or more
RFID transponders in a web with individual media samples on a programmed, on-
demand basis. A processor determines whether or not a label that is to be
printed is to
have a programmed RFID transponder inserted in it. If a RFID transponder is to
be
inserted, a RFID transponder is programmed and inserted in the label, and the
label is
1


r CA 02521566 2005-09-28
printed. If it is determined that a RFID transponder is not to be inserted, a
label is
printed without inserting a RFID transponder. Using such a single printer to
attempt to
incorporate selectively RFID transponders in a single web and then to print
both RFID
and non-RFID record members is a complicated process and may result in
unreliability.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, various disadvantages of prior art
RFID printer systems have been overcome. The RFID printing system of the
present
invention in one embodiment includes two printers: a RFID printer and a second
printer. The system, that is, either the RFID printer or the second printer,
receives data
and determines whether the data includes RFID data or only data to be printed.
If the
data includes RFID data, the data is processed by the RFID printer. Otherwise,
the
data is processed by the second printer.
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for printing
on
record members. The system includes a first printer and a second printer. The
first printer
includes a first print head capable of printing on a first web of record
members. The
second printer includes a second print head capable of printing on a second
web of record
members. One of the first and second printers includes a RFID reader/writer
capable of
writing to and/or reading from RFID transponders disposed on its web of record
members. The first printer includes a controller that receives data that
includes printing
data to be printed on a record member and/or RFID data to be written to a RFID
transponder. The controller determines whether the received data includes RFID
data.
The controller further determines whether to process the received data with
the first printer
or to transmit the received data to the second printer for processing based on
whether the
received data includes RFID data and based on whether the first printer
includes a RFID
reader/writer.
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a printer for printing
on
a web of record members having RFID transponders disposed thereon. The printer
includes a print head, a RFID reader/writer and a controller. The RFID
reader/writer is
capable of writing RFID data to and reading RFID data from RFID transponders
disposed on the web. The controller receives data, the data including at least
one of
printing data to be printed on a record member and RFID data to be written to
a RFID
2


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
transponder. The controller determines whether the received data includes RFID
data.
If the received data includes RFID data, the controller controls the RFID
reader/writer
to write the received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record
member.
If the received data does not include RFID data, the controller transmits the
received
data to a second printer for printing.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a printer for
printing on first and second webs of record members, the first web having RFID
transponders disposed thereon. The printer includes a print head, a RFID
reader/writer
and a controller. The RFID reader/writer is capable of writing RFID data to
and
reading RFID data from RFID transponders disposed on the first web. The
controller
receives data, the data including at least one of printing data to be printed
on a record
member and RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder. The controller
determines whether the received data includes RFID data. If the received data
includes RFID data, the controller controls the RFID reader/writer to write
the
received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member in the
first
web. If the received data does not include RFID data, the controller controls
the print
head to print the printing data on a record member in the second web.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for
printing on record members. The system includes a first printer and a second
printer.
The first printer includes a print head, a RFID reader/writer and a
controller. The print
head is capable of printing on a first web of record members having RFID
transponders disposed thereon. The RFID reader/writer is capable of writing
RFID
data to and reading RFID data from RFID transponders disposed on the first
web. The
controller receives data, the data including at least one of printing data to
be printed on
a record member and RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder. The
controller
determines whether the received data includes RFID data. If the received data
includes RFID data, the controller controls the RFID writer to write the
received RFID
data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member. If the received data
does
not include RFID data, the controller transmits the received data to the
second printer
for printing. The second printer is capable of printing on a second web of
record
members. The second printer is operable to receive data transmitted by the
first printer
and to print the received data on a record member of the second web.
3


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for
printing on a web of record members having ItFID transponders disposed
thereon.
Pursuant to the method, data including at least one of printing data to be
printed on a
record member and RFID data to be written to a RFID transponder is received at
a first
printer. It is determined whether the received data includes RFID data. If the
received
data includes RFID data, the first printer is employed to write the received
RFID data
to a IZFID transponder disposed on a record member. If the received data does
not
include RFID data, the received data is transmitted to a second printer for
printing.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a printer for
printing on a web of record members. The printer includes a print head capable
of
printing on the web and a controller. The controller receives data, the data
including at
least one of printing data to be printed on a record member and RFID data to
be
written to a RFID transponder. The controller determines whether the received
data
includes RFID data. If the received data does not include RFID data, the
controller
controls the print head to print the printing data on a record member. If the
received
data does include RFID data, the controller transmits the received data to a
second
printer for writing the RFID data.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for
printing on record members. The system includes a first printer and a second
printer.
The first printer includes a first print head capable of printing on a first
web of record
members and a first controller. The first controller receives data, the data
including at
least one of printing data to be printed on a record member and RFID data to
be
written to a RFID transponder. The first controller determines whether the
received
data includes RFID data. If the received data does not include RFID data, the
first
controller controls the first print head to print the printing data on a
record member. If
the received data does include RFID data, the first controller transmits the
received
data to the second printer for writing the RFID data. The second printer
includes a
second print head, a RFID writer and a controller. The second print head is
capable of
printing on a second web of record members. The RFID writer is capable of
writing
RfID data to RfID transponders disposed on the second web. The second
controller
receives data transmitted by the first printer and controls the RFID writer to
write the
received RFID data to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member of the
second
web.
4


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for
printing
on record members. The system includes a first printer and a second printer.
The first
printer includes a first print head that prints on a first web of record
members. The first
printer also includes a first controller that is operable to receive data that
includes printing
data to be printed on a record member and/or RFID data to be written to a RFID
transponder. The first controller determines whether the received data
includes RFID
data. If the received data does not include RFID data, the first controller
controls the first
print head to print the printing data on a record member. If the received data
does include
RFID data, the first controller transmits the received data to the second
printer for writing
the RFID data. The second printer includes a second print head, a IZFID writer
module
and a second controller. The second print head that prints on a second web of
record
members. The RFID writer writes RFID data to RFID transponders disposed on the
second web. The second controller is operable to receive data that includes
printing data
to be printed on a record member and/or RFID data to be written to a RfID
transponder.
The second controller determines whether the received data includes RFID data.
If the
received data does not include RFID data, the second controller transmits the
received data
to the first printer for printing. If the received data does include RFID
data, the second
controller controls the RFID writer to write the received RFID data to a RFID
transponder
disposed on a record member of the second web.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for
handling
input data that includes printing data to be printed on a record member and/or
RFID data
to be written to a RFID transponder on a record member. Pursuant to the
method, the
input data is received and it is determined whether the input data includes
RFID data. If
the input data includes RFID data, the data is directed to a first printer
configured to print
record members having RFID transponders disposed thereon and configured to
write
RFID data to the RFID transponders. If the input data does not include RFID
data, the
data is directed to a second printer.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for
printing
on record members. The system includes a first printer, a second printer and a
controller.
The first printer is configured to print data on record members and to write
RFID data to
RFID transponders disposed on those record members. The second printer is
configured
to print data on record members. The controller receives input data that can
include
printing data to be printed on a record member and/or RFID data to be written
to a ItFID
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CA 02521566 2005-09-28
transponder. The controller directs input data that includes RFID data to the
first printer
and directs input data that does not include RFID data to the second printer.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of
printing.
Pursuant to the method, a first printable web of record members having RFID
transponders is provided. A second printable web of record members free of
RFID
transponders is provided. At least one set of related data is printed on both
the first and
second webs. At least one indicium is printed for each set on at least one of
the record
members of the first web and on at least one of the record members of the
second web that
associates the set or sets of related data on the first and second webs.
The data on the RFID web and the non-RFID web can be related data, for
example,
the same data. For example, a container or pallet can have a RFID label with
shipping
data and the contents of the container or pallet can have a record member such
as labels, a
packing slip, a form or the like that contain data. The data is different but
related.
Therefore, "related data" means either the same data or data that are related
to each other
in some meaningful way.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to another method of
printing. Pursuant to this method, a first printable web of record members
having RFID
transponders is provided. A second printable web free of RFID transponders is
provided.
At least one set of data is printed on at least one record member of the first
web and
another set of related data is printed on at least one record member of the
second web. At
least one associating indicium is printed on the record members having the
related data.
When there is more than one set of data, the associating indicia are different
for each set of
related data.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to another method of
printing. Pursuant to the method, a first printable web of record members
having RFID
transponders is provided. A second printable web free of RFID transponders is
provided.
A plurality of sets of different data are printed on the record members of
both the first web
and the second web. Different indicia are printed to associate each set of
data on the first
web with each set of related data on the second web.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a pair of
associated
webs comprising first and second webs of record members. The first web of
record
members has RFID transponders. The record members of the first web have
different data
disposed in different sets of record members along the first web. The record
members of
6


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
the second web have the different data disposed in different sets of record
members along
the second web. At least one record member of each set in the first web has an
indicium
associating each set in the first web with each related set in the second web.
In certain applications it is desired to use one or more record members in a
set with
RFID transponders and one or more record members in a set without
transponders.
One aspect of the invention is to provide a RFID web of record members wherein
there is a RFID transponder in preferably each RFID record member, and also a
web free
of any RFID transponders in its record members, also referred to herein
respectively as a
non-RFID web and as non-RFID record members. The webs are normally in roll
form,
however, fan-folded webs can also be used. In one example, the RFID
transponders in the
RFID record members in the RFID web can be encoded or written to with data
and/or the
data can be printed on the RFID record members throughout the web. The non-
RFID
record members in the non-RFID web can be printed with the related data
throughout the
web. In order to associate these RFID record members in the RFID web with non-
RFID
record members printed with the related data, an associating indicium such as
a number, a
symbol, a graphic or the like or indicia such as a series of numbers or
sequences of
numbers are printed on both the RFID web and on the non-RFID web. An
associating
indicium could be printed on only the first record member in the roll or fan-
folded web,
but if the first record member were removed, the association between the RFID
web and
the non-RFID web would no longer be visually discernable. Therefore, since all
the data
on all the record members on the RFID record member and on the non-RFID record
members is related, the same indicium is preferably printed on all the record
members to
indicate visually that the RFID record members in the RFID web are associated
with the
non-RFID record members in the non-RFID web. Thus, these two webs are
associated or
belong together as a set of record members. It is, therefore, not possible to
be mistaken
that the data in the RFID and non-RFID record members are related and that the
record
members and the webs are paired together. There is a one-to-one correspondence
of the
RFID and non-RFID record members as is visible from this unique indicium.
It is sometimes desired that the RFID record members in the RFID web have
their
transponders encoded with data and/or have the data printed in batches or sets
wherein
each set is RFID encoded and/or printed with different data. Therefore, a RFID
web can
have sets of RFID members disposed along its length, wherein each set is RFID
encoded
and/or printed with different data. Likewise, the non-RFID record members in
the non-
7


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
RFID web are printed with data in batches or sets related to the batches or
sets of RFID
record members. In order to associate a first set of RFID record members with
a first set
of non-RFID record members having the same data, an indicium unique to both
first sets is
printed on at least one RFID record member and on at least one, and preferably
each, non-
RFID record member of the first sets. Therefore, the user knows from a quick
visual
inspection that the RFID record members and the non-RFID record members of
those two
first sets are associated or paired on a one-to-one basis. It is evident that
the number of
RFID record members of any set can differ from the number of non-RFID record
members
of a related set which are paired or associated; the number of RFID record
members of any
set of RFID record members can differ from other sets of RFID record members;
and the
number of non-RFID record members of any set of non-RFID record members can
differ
from other sets of non-RFID record members. A second set of RFID record
members in
the RFID web can be RFID encoded and/or printed with data different from the
first set of
RFID members, and a second set of non-RFID record members can be printed with
data
different from the data of the first set of non-RFID record members, however,
the data in
the RFID record members of the second set and the data of the non-RFID record
members
of the second set are related. An indicium unique to both second sets is
printed on at least
one RFID member and at least one non-RFID member of the second sets.
Therefore, the
user knows from a quick visual inspection that the RFID record members and the
non-
RFID record members of these two second sets are associated or paired on a one-
to-one
basis, and so on for all the sets of the RFID and non-RFID record members in
the RFID
and non-RFID webs.
Alternatively, a series or sets or series of indicia can be printed on the
RFID and
non-RFID record members to relate sets of related data.
Following printing of a pair of RFID and non-RFID webs of respectively RFID
and non-RFID record members, the RFID and non-RFID record members can be
separated
from their webs as by delaminating, cutting or manually tearing into
individual RFID and
non-RFID record members. In that the RFID and non-RFID webs were printed with
the
same indicium associating or linking RFID and non-RFID record members having
related
data, it is not possible for the user to confuse which RFID record member
relates to which
non-RFID record member. In that the RFID and non-RFID webs were printed with
the
same indicium associating or linking RFID and non-RFID record members having
related
data, it is not possible for the user to confuse which RFID record member
relates to which
8


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
non-RFID record member. Similarly, the RFID and non-RFID record members can be
separated into a connected batches or sets of RFID record members and
connected batches
or sets of non-RFID record members. In that each batch of connected RFID
record
members and each batch of connected non-RFID record members having related
data bear
at least one unique indicium associating or linking them into pairs on a one-
to-one basis, it
is not possible for the user to confuse which batch of RFID record members is
associated
with or belongs to or is linked with which batch of non-RFID record members of
the same
pair. In this connection any batch or set of connected RFID record members can
have any
desired number of RFID record members, for example, one or more. Likewise any
batch
or set of connected non-RFID record members can have any desired number of non-
RFID
record members, for example, one or more.
These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention, as
well
as details of the illustrated embodiments thereof, will be more fully
understood from
the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMMATIC DRAWINGS
FIGURE I is a block diagram representing a RFID printing system in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 2A is a block diagram representing a RFID printer according to an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 2B is a block diagram representing a non-RFID printer;
FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of a RFID read/write station in the RFID printer
of FIGURE 2;
FIGURES 4A and 4B form a flowchart illustrating a RFID read/write operation
and a print operation of the RFID printer of the present invention;
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a RFID printer;
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a roll of a web of record members, namely,
labels containing RFID transponders;
FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing components of the printer
including an antenna system used to write to and/or read a RFID transponder in
a label
of a web of labels;
FIGURE 8 is a flowchart representing a method of printing RFID record
members according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
9


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
FIGURE 9 is a flowchart representing a method of printing RFID record
members according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 10 illustrates a dual mode printer in accordance with an alternative
embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 11 is a functional block diagram representing printing system
according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIGURE 12 is a functional diagram representing a RFID printer and a non-
RFID printer and their associated output webs according to an illustrative
embodiment
of the present invention.
FIGURE 13 is a flowchart representing a method of printing associating indicia
on record members according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGURE 1 is a block diagram representing a system in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. FIGURE 1 shows a host 100, a Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) printer 110 and a non-RFID printer 120. The
host
100 can be a computer mainframe, a personal computer, a workstation, a network
server, a barcode scanner/terminal or any other data input device. The RFID
printer
110 is illustratively loaded with, and capable of printing to, record members
such as,
but not limited to, labels, tags, tickets, forms, signs, or like media
samples. The record
members that are produced by the RFID printer 110 have embedded therein a RFID
transponder that is capable of being programmed, via a radio frequency (RF)
signal, to
store various types of data. Such RFID transponders are known in the art and
typically
comprise an integrated circuit chip and a radio frequency antenna. The RFID
integrated circuit typically includes a read-only memory (ROM) that stores a
unique
identification number identifying the RFID transponder. The RFID integrated
circuit
typically also includes a memory or registers that are programmable to store
various
types of data. Such RFID transponders can be programmed to store any type of
information, and are commonly employed to store data relating to a product or
a
package to which the associated record member is to be affixed, including, but
not
limited to, information pertaining to the nature of the product or the
contents of the
package, quantity information, price information, etc. The RFID printer 110 is
thus
capable of being loaded with a web of record members (for example, a roll of
RFID


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
labels) that have RFID transponders embedded thereon. The RFID printer 110 is
capable of both printing on said record members and programming, via a RF
signal,
the RFID transponders.
The non-RFID printer 120 is illustratively a printer that is capable of
printing
record members, such as, but not limited to, labels, tags, tickets, forms,
signs, or like
media samples. According to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention, the
non-RFID printer 120 is loaded with a web of record members (for example, a
roll of
labels) that do not have RFID transponders thereon and are, thus, free of RFID
transponders.
In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the host 100 provides
input data to the RFID printer 110. According to an illustrative embodiment of
the
present invention, the input data provided to the RFID printer 110 may include
data
that is intended for a RFID record member or may alternatively include data
that is
intended for a non-RFID record member (that is, a conventional record member
that
does not have a RFID transponder thereon). Data that is intended for a RFID
record
member will include data that is to be written to the RFID transponder on an
associated record member, and may also include data that is to be printed on
the
associated record member. Data that is intended for a non-RFID record member
will
include data that is to be printed on a record member and will not include
RFID data to
be encoded in a RFID transponder.
According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the RFID
printer 110 is capable of determining whether the data provided by the host
100 is
intended for a RFID printer or for a non-RFID printer, that is, the RFID
printer 110
determines whether the received data includes RFID data or not. If the
received data
does include RFID data, the RFID printer produces a RFID record member
according
to the received data. Thus, the RFID printer 110 will encode a RFID
transponder
associated with a given record member in the web of record members, and, if
the
received data further includes data that is to be printed on the associated
record
member, will print said data on the associated record member. If, on the other
hand,
the RFID printer 110 determines that the data provided by the host 100 is not
intended
for a RFID printer (that is, if the received data does not include RFID data),
the RFID
printer 110 transmits the received data to the non-RFID printer 120. The non-
RFID
printer 120 then prints the received data on a non-RFID record member.
11


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
FIGURE 2A is a block diagram representing a RFID printer, such as RFID
printer 110, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
The
RFID printer 110 illustratively includes a printing system 18 with a print
head such as
a thermal print head 20 or the like. The printing system 18 also includes a
motor 22
that moves a web of record members 24, such as labels, tags, etc., via for
example one
or more rollers (not shown) past the print head 20 in order to print data
thereon. Data
printed by the print head 20 can include barcode and/or alpha-numeric
information.
In the illustrative embodiment of FIGURE 2A, the RFID printer 110 includes a
number of input devices mounted in its housing. These input devices include a
communication interface 30 and a keypad 38. In an illustrative embodiment, the
communication interface 30 includes a radio frequency transceiver 32 and/or
one or
more communication ports 34 such as an RS 232 port, a serial port, a parallel
port, an
802.1 lb port, an 802.3 port, a USB port, etc. The communication interface 30
allows
the RFID printer 110 to communicate with a host device, such as host 100, to
receive
data therefrom or to transmit transaction data thereto. The communication
interface 30
allows the RFID printer 110 to communicate with the host in real time.
Alternatively,
the RFID printer 110 may be operated off line such that the data received from
a host
is stored in a look-up table or the like in a memory of the printer for later
use.
Similarly, data can be entered via one or more of the input devices, stored in
a memory
of the printer and later transmitted with a batch of data records to a host
via a
communication port 34. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention,
the
RFID printer 110 is couplable to non-RFID printer 120 through the
communication
interface 30. In various embodiments, the RFID printer 110 can communicate
with the
non-RFID printer 120 by way of the radio frequency transceiver 32 or one of
the
communication ports 34. In an illustrative embodiment, if the ItFID 110
printer
receives print data that is intended for a non-RFID printer, that is, print
data that does
not include RFID data, the RFID printer 110 forwards such data to the non-RFID
printer 120 for printing via the communication interface 30.
The RFID printer 110 includes a RFID reader/writer 36. The RFID
reader/writer 36 is capable of reading and/or writing to a RFID transponder on
a record
member that is driven by the motor 22 of the printer 110. When operating in
the read
mode, the RFID reader/writer 36 forms one of the data input devices for the
RFID
printer 110. In a write mode, the RFID reader/writer 36 forms one of the
output
12


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
devices along with the printing system 18 and the communication interface 30
when
transmitting or sending data out from the printer 110.
In the illustrative embodiment represented in FIGURE 2A, the RFID printer
110 includes a plurality of keys 38. In an illustrative embodiment, the keys
38 include
a keypad with keys and a trigger key 42. The keypad may be utilized to enter
alpha-
numeric data to the printer 110. Alternatively, the keypad may have only a
limited
number of keys that are actuable in accordance with information depicted on a
display
44 for selecting a number of operations of the printer, for example, feeding a
web of
record members through the printer 110, displaying status information, etc.
The
trigger key 42 may be actuable by a user in various modes of the printer 110
to actuate
the printing system 18 and/or the RFID reader/writer 36. Alternatively, one or
more of
these devices can be actuated automatically by a controller 46 of the printer
110 in
accordance with a stored application program. In addition to displaying status
information or data entered via the keyboard, the display 44 may also be
controlled to
provide prompts to the user to actuate the trigger key 42 and/or other keys so
as to
control various operations of the printer 110.
The RFID printer 110 includes a controller 46 that includes a microprocessor
48 and a memory 50. The memory 50 includes non-volatile memory such as flash
memory 52 and/or a ROM 54 such as the EEPROM. The memory 50 also includes a
RAM 56 for storing and manipulating data. In accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the microprocessor 48 controls the
operations of
the printer 110 in accordance with an application program that is stored in
the flash
memory 52. The microprocessor 48 may operate directly in accordance with the
application program. Alternatively, the microprocessor 48 can operate
indirectly in
accordance with the application program as interpreted by an interpreter
program
stored in the memory 54 or another area of the flash memory 52.
The microprocessor 48 is operable to select an input device 32, 34, or 38 to
receive data therefrom and to manipulate the received data and/or combine it
with data
received from a different input source in accordance with a stored application
program.
The microprocessor 48 couples the selected, combined and/or manipulated data
to the
printing system 18 for printing on a record member. The microprocessor 48 may
select the related data to be written to a RFID transponder on a record
member. The
microprocessor couples the data selected for writing to the RFID reader/writer
36
13


. CA 02521566 2005-09-28
wherein the data is written in encoded form to the RFID transponder.
Similarly, the
microprocessor 48 can select the same or different data for storage in a
transaction
record in the RAM 56 and for uploading via the communication interface 30 to a
host
100. The processor 48 is operable to select data to be coupled to the printing
system
18 independently of the data that the processor 48 selects to be coupled to
the RFID
reader/writer 36 to provide a high degree of flexibility.
According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the
controller
46 receives data that is to be printed on a record member. This data can be
received
from any of input devices 30 and 38. In some instances, such received data may
include RFID data that is to be encoded to a R.FID transponder associated with
a
record member. In other instances, this data may not include any RFID data,
but
rather comprises only data that is to be printed on a conventional, non-RFID,
record
member. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the controller
46
determines whether the received data includes RFID data. In an illustrative
embodiment, the input data stream contains markers that indicate whether the
input
data comprises RFID data and these markers are used by the controller 46 to
determine
what to do with the input data. If the received data includes RFID data, the
controller
46 controls the RFID encoder 36 to encode the received RFID data in a RFID
transponder disposed on a record member in the web of record members. If the
received data does not include RFID data, the controller transmits the
received data to
a second printer, such as non-RFID printer 120, for printing, illustratively
via
communication interface 30.
The block diagram of FIGURE 3 and the flowchart of FIGURES 4A and 4B
illustrate the RFID portion of the RFID printer 110. Elements that are common
to
FIGURES 2A and 3 are given like reference numbers. In an illustrative
embodiment
of the RFID printer 110, the RFID reader/writer 36 includes a radio frequency
antenna
300, a RFID interrogator 302 and an input/output interface 306. The RFID
antenna
300 illustratively radiates energy in a narrow beam towards an adjacent RFID
transponder T that is aligned with the antenna 300. The RFID antenna 300
radiates
energy in response to a RFID module or interrogator 302 in order to write to,
or
program, the adjacent RFID transponder. The RFID interrogator 602 is
responsive to
the controller 46 to drive the antenna 300 to write or program particular
information
into the adjacent RFID transponder T. The interrogator 302 is also responsive
to
14


a CA 02521566 2005-09-28
energy picked up by the antenna 300 from the RFID transponder T to read
information
stored on the transponder T. The RFID interrogator 302 is coupled to the
controller 46
by a RFID input/output interface 306, the interrogator 302 receiving or
sending
communication signals through the interface 306, and the interrogator 302
receiving
power via the interface 306.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the microprocessor 48
controls the printing system 18 of the RFID printer 110 to write to and/or
read a RFID
transponder T in a label and to print on that same label as follows with
respect to
FIGURES 4A and 4B. At a block 420, the microprocessor 48 controls the printer
motor 22 to feed a label to the top of form position at which point the
movement of the
label web is stopped. At the label top of form position, the RFID transponder
T will be
generally aligned with the antenna 300. At block 422, the microprocessor 48
retrieves
data from the memory 50 that has been sent from the host 100, or otherwise
received
from one of the data input devices 30 or 38, for writing to the RFID
transponder. This
data may be for example electronic product code (EPC) information or other
data.
Thereafter, at block 424, the microprocessor 46 generates a program command.
The
program command is a packet of control information to be sent to the RFID
interrogator or module 302. From block 424, the microprocessor 48 proceeds to
block
426 to send the generated packet to the RFID module, i.e. interrogator 602.
It is noted that in a preferred embodiment, the RFID module or interrogator
302 includes its own microprocessor. The RFID module performs a number of
functions. For example, the module 302 determines whether a RFID transponder
is
within its field by reading the RFID transponder's identification code. The
RFID
module 302 as instructed by the controller 46 erases the data stored in the
RFID
transponder, verifies the erasure and then programs the RFID data received
from the
microprocessor 48 into the RFID transponder. The RFID module 302 also verifies
that
the data has been programmed into the RFID transponder by reading the data
stored in
the transponder after a programming operation to verify that the data was
correctly
written into the RFID transponder. Upon completing the verification process,
the
RFID module 302 generates a response packet that is transmitted back to the
microprocessor 48.
Referring again to FIGURES 4A and 4B, the microprocessor 48, at block 428,
receives the response packet from the RFID module 302, and at block 630, the


' ~ CA 02521566 2005-09-28
microprocessor 48 extracts data from the response packet. The data in the
response
packet may include a code representing the successful programming of the RFID
transponder or the data may include a code representing a particular error.
For
example, the response data may include an error code indicating that the RFID
module
could not read a RFID tag, or a code indicating that the tag could not be
erased or a
code indicating that the tag was not accurately programmed. At block 432, the
microprocessor 48 decodes the data in the response packet to determine at
block 434
whether the programming of the RFID transponder was successful or whether the
response packet from the RFID module included an error code. If the
programming of
the RFID transponder was determined to be successful, that is, without error,
at block
434, the microprocessor 48 proceeds to block 436 to control the feeding or
movement
of the web and the printing of data on the label via the print head. It is
noted that, in an
illustrative embodiment, while the RFID transponder is being read from or
programmed, the web is stationary. However, during the printing of information
on a
record member at block 436, the microprocessor 608 moves the web past the
print
head. If the microprocessor 48 determines at block 434 that the response
packet
received from the RFID module indicated an error condition, the microprocessor
48
proceeds to block 438 to display an error message on the display 44 of the
printer 110.
From block 438, the microprocessor proceeds to block 440 to feed the label
with the
defective RFID transponder past the print head and controls the print head to
print an
overstrike image, such as evenly spaced longitudinally extending bars, on the
record
member RM. This indicates that the RFID transponder is defective. From blocks
438
or 440, the microprocessor proceeds to block 408 to feed the next label to the
top of
form position at block 420 as discussed above.
FIGURE 5 shows a RFID printer, generally indicated at 540, in accordance
with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The printer 540 can
be
essentially the same as the RFID printer disclosed in U.S. patent application
10/873,979. It is noted that application 10/873,979 incorporates the
disclosure of U.S.
Patent 5,838,377.
While the invention is illustrated in connection with a thermal printer using
dot
heating elements to create images such as bar codes, graphics, alpha numeric
characters and the like, the invention is also useful with printers such as
ink jet, laser,
xerographic, impact, and other types of printers.
16


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
The printer 540 which corresponds to the printer 40 in patent application
10/873,979, has a generally vertical frame panel 571 and a conductive metal
horizontal
frame member 572 on a conductive metal base plate 520. A movable mounting
member 556 is pivotally mounted to the frame plate 571 about hinge blocks 573
(only
one of which is shown in FIGURE 5). A roll mounting member 550 is shown to
mount a roll R of a web C of record members RM. The record members RM are
illustrated to comprise a composite label web C which comprises a
longitudinally
extending carrier web W to which a series of pressure sensitive labels L are
releasably
adhered by pressure sensitive, tacky, adhesive A (FIGURES S and 6). If
desired, the
web of record members RM can be comprised of a web of tags or forms. The web C
is
shown to be paid out of the roll R and passes beneath a guide roller 562'
rotatably
mounted by a bracket 562" to a guide member 560 which is part of a web guide
generally indicated at 562. Any suitable web guide, for example, just a member
with a
curved surface or a roller can be used instead, if desired. From there the web
C passes
between a thermal print head 569 which is part of a print head assembly 570
and a
platen roll 563. It is noted the web C extends from the roll R to a position
upstream of
the nip of the print head 569 and the platen roll 563 and extends downstream
beyond
the nip. The platen roll 563 is shown to have a conductive metal shaft 506
about
which a tubular elastomeric sleeve 506' is received as shown in FIGURE 7 for
example. The shaft 506 acts as a RF reflector. If desired, the shaft 506 can
be made of
a rigid plastics material which is not RF reflective. A delaminator in the
form of a peel
bar 564' is provided downstream and preferably adjacent the nip. However, the
delaminator can alternatively comprise a peel roller. A label L can be
delaminated at
the delaminator 564' when the web W is advanced by a motor 665 between a motor-

driven roll 565 and a back-up roll 566. A spring 566' is used to urge the
backup roll
566 toward the roll 565 so that the web W is pressed between the rolls 565 and
566.
From there the carrier web W passes about an arcuate guide plate 670 and
through an
exit opening 549 of a movable panel 548.
The illustrated printer 540 utilizes an ink ribbon IR wound into a supply roll
SR. The supply roll SR has a core 552 and the core 552 is mounted on a spindle
553.
The ink ribbon IR is paid out of the supply roll SR and passes beneath a
ribbon guide
557 to the nip between the print head 569 and the platen roll 563 and from
there the
ink ribbon IR passes partially about a guide 558 and onto a take-up roll TR.
The take-
17


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
up roll TR has a core 554 identical to the core 552. The core 554 is mounted
on a
spindle 555 identical to the spindle 553. Except for the delaminator 564', the
roll 562'
and the bracket 562" the foregoing describes the printer 540 disclosed in U.S.
patent
5,833,377.
With continued reference to FIGURE 5, each of the record members R includes
a RFID transponder T incorporated in a composite web C of labels L as best
shown in
FIGURE 6. A typical transponder includes an integrated circuit chip and an
antenna.
As shown in FIGURE 6, the roll R includes RFID labels L. Each label L is
illustrated
to have a RFID transponder T adhered to the adhesive A on the underside of the
label
L. Thus, the composite label web C has a RFID transponder T sandwiched between
the label L and the carrier web W. The RFID transponder T in a preferred
embodiment is a passive transponder that uses received RF energy to power the
chip of
the transponder T and enabling functions of reading and/or writing when
sufficient
energy is received by the transponder T so that information can be read or
written to,
i.e., programmed into, the RFID transponder. The pitch of the transponders T
is
considered the distance from the centerline of one transponder to the
centerline of an
immediately adjacent transponder. The pitch or length of a record member RM is
the
distance from the leading edge of one record member RM to the leading of an
adjacent
record member RM in the longitudinal direction of the web.
FIGURE 5 also shows an antenna assembly 500 fitted between the web guide
562 and the platen roll 563. A shield or RF reflector generally indicated at
501
extends into contact with an electrically conductive metal delaminator in the
form of a
peel edge 564' which forms part of the shield. The shield 501, which is
preferably
comprised of conductive metal such as steel, has an inclined portion 503
(FIGURE 7),
a downwardly extending portion 502 joined to the inclined portion 503, a
downwardly
extending portion 504 and a base portion 505 grounded to the frame 520. The
motor
665 is below the inclined portion and above the base portion SOS. The platen
roll 563
is above the inclined portion 503. The inclined portion 503 of the shield 501,
in one
preferred embodiment, supports the antenna assembly 500 so that a plane of
antenna
500' is perpendicular to a RFID transponder T adjacent the antenna 500'. The
second
portion 502 of the shield SO1 extends at an angle from the support portion 503
and
towards the web C so that a part of the shield 501 is adjacent the web C to
shield a
RFID transponder in an adjacent record member RM that is downstream of the
shield
18


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
SO1, i.e., a record member RM that is past the shield SO1 in the direction of
web
movement, from energy radiated from the antenna S00'. The second portion S02
of
the shield S01 is formed integrally with the portion S03 supporting the
antenna S00'.
Alternatively, the second shield portion S02 may include multiple parts. For
example,
as best shown in FIGURE 7, the portion of the shield SO1 adjacent to the web
includes
an electrically conductive metal web guide S 10 with a downwardly extending
portion
S 1 I that abuts and makes intimate electrical contact with shield portion
502. The
portion of the shield S01 adjacent the web C may also include the delaminator
S64' as
discussed below.
With reference to FIGURE 7, the platen roll S63 is shown to have a conductive
steel shaft S06 which reflects radiation from the antenna assembly 500. The
antenna
assembly S00 includes a non-conducting bracket or holder S07 which is secured
to the
shield portion S03 by two thumb screws S08 (only one of which is shown)
threaded
into the holder 507. The screws S08 pass through laterally spaced elongate
slots S09
in the inclined shield portion 503. The slots S09 allow the position of the
antenna
assembly S00 to be adjusted. The slope of the inclined shield portion S03 is
parallel to
the path of the web C at the read and/or write station where a transponder T
is read
and/or written to. Movement of the antenna assembly S00 allows optimal
alignment of
the antenna S00' with RFID transponders T on the composite web C. The
delaminator
64' and the guide form part of the shield 501.
The shelf or web guide S 10 has a downwardly extending portion S 11 which is
welded to the delaminator S64'. The delaminator S64' and the guide S 10 are
preferably composed of steel. The shield 501, the delaminator S64' and the
guide 510,
provide effective shielding of the energy radiated from the antenna assembly
S00 and
from a RFID transponder which is downstream of the shield SO1, the guide S10
and
the delaminator S64'. As shown in FIGURE 7, one of the RFID transponders T is
spaced from but is adjacent to the antenna assembly 500. Therefore, the
antenna S00'
does not affect the RFID transponder T which is beyond the delaminator S64'.
FIGURE 7 shows the antenna assembly 500 to be located at a write and/or read
station.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart representing a method of printing RFID record members
according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. At step 800,
print
data and associated print job parameters are received at a printer, such as
RFID printer
19


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
110, capable of printing labels that have RFID transponders embedded thereon
and
capable of programming said RFID transponder. Illustratively, such data is
received
via input devices such as communication interface 30 or keypad 38. At step
810, it is
determined whether the received data includes RFID data that is to be
programmed
into a RFID transponder embedded on a record member. This step is
illustratively
performed by the controller 46, and in particular, by the microprocessor 48.
If the
received data is intended for a RFID printer, the RFID printer prints the
label (step
820) and programs the RFID transponder (step 830). If the received data does
not
include RFID data, the RFID printer transmits the data to a second printer,
such as
non-RFID printer 120, that is configured to print non-RFID record members,
that is,
record members that do not have a RFID transponder embedded thereon, which
printer
then proceeds to print the non-RFID record label, as shown by step 840. After
the
received data is printed on a record member, whether by RFID printer 110 at
steps 820
and 830 or by non-RFID printer 120 at step 840, the RFID printer 110
determines
whether the print job is done at step 850. If the print job is done, the
process is
complete. If the print job is not done, then the controller 46 executes
instructions to
loop to step 810 to process the received data intended for the next record
member.
Referring again to FIGURES 1 and 2A, the host 100, or one of input devices 30
and 38, provides input data to the non-RFID printer 120. This input data
provided to
the non-RFID printer 120 may include data that is intended for a RFID record
member
or may instead include data that is intended for a non-RFID record member
(that is, a
conventional record member that does not have a RFID transponder embedded
thereon). Data that is intended for a RFID record member will include data
that is to
be encoded to the RFID transponder embedded in an associated record member,
and
may also include data that is to be printed on the associated record member.
Data that
is intended for a non-RFID record member will include data that is to be
printed on a
record member and will not include RFID data to be encoded in a RFID
transponder.
According to this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the non-
RFID printer 120 is capable of determining whether the data provided by the
host 100
is intended for a RFID printer or for a non-RFID printer, that is, words, the
non-RFID
printer 120 determines whether the received data includes RFID data or not. If
the
received data does include RFID data, the non-RFID printer 120 transmits the
received
data to the RFID printer 110. The RFID printer 110 then produces a RFID record


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
member according to the received data. Thus, the RFID printer 110 will encode
a
RFID transponder associated with a given record member in the web of record
members, and, if the received data further includes data that is to be printed
on the
associated record member, will print said data on the associated record
member. If, on
the other hand, the non-RFID printer 110 determines that the data provided by
the host
100 is not intended for a RFID printer (that is, if the received data does not
include
RFID data), the non-RFID printer 120 then prints the received data on a non-
RFID
record member.
FIGURE 9 is a flowchart representing a method of printing RFID record
members according to this alternative embodiment of the present invention. At
step
900, print data and associated print job parameters are received at a printer,
such as
non-RFID printer 110, configured to print record members that do not have RFID
transponders embedded thereon. Illustratively, such data is received via input
devices
such as a communication interface 30 or keypad 38. At step 910, it is
determined
whether the received data includes RFID data that is to be programmed into a
RFID
transponder embedded on a record member. This step is illustratively performed
by
the controller 46, and in particular, by the microprocessor 48. If the
received data is
not intended for a RFID printer, the non-RFID printer prints the label at step
920. If
the received data does include RFID data, the non-RFID printer transmits the
data to a
second printer, such as RFID printer 110, that is configured to print RFID
record
members and to program the RFID transponder embedded thereon, which printer
then
proceeds to print the RFID record label and encode the associated RFID
transponder,
as shown at step 930. After the received data is printed on a record member,
whether
by non-RFID printer 120 at step 920 or by RFID printer 110 at step 930, the
non-RFID
printer 120 determines whether the print job is done at step 940. If the print
job is
done, the process is complete. If the print job is not done, then the
controller 46
executes instructions to loop to step 910 to process the received data
intended for the
next record member.
Referring again to FIGURES 1 and 2A, in another embodiment of the present
invention, either of the RFID printer 110 and the non-RFID 120 can receive
input data
from the host 100, or one of input devices 30 and 38. This input data provided
to the
non-RFID printer 120 may include data that is intended for a RFID record
member or
may instead include data that is intended for a non-RFID record member (that
is, a
21


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
conventional record member that does not have a RFID transponder embedded
thereon). Data that is intended for a RFID record member will include data
that is to
be encoded to the RFID transponder embedded in an associated record member,
and
may also include data that is to be printed on the associated record member.
Data that
is intended for a non-RFID record member will include data that is to be
printed on a
record member and will not include RFID data to be encoded in a RFID
transponder.
According to this embodiment of the present invention, both the RFID printer
110 and the non-RFID printer 120 are capable of determining whether the data
provided by the host 100 is intended for a RFID printer or for a non-RFID
printer. The
printer that receives the input data determines whether the received data
includes RFID
data or not. If the non-RFID printer 120 receives input data, it determines
whether or
not the received data includes RFID data. If the received data does include
RFID data,
the non-RFID printer 120 transmits the received data to the RFID printer 110.
The
RFID printer 110 then produces a RFID record member according to the received
data.
Thus, the RFID printer 110 will encode a RFID transponder associated with a
given
record member in the web of record members, and, if the received data further
includes data that is to be printed on the associated record member, will
print said data
on the associated record member. If, on the other hand, the non-RFID printer
110
determines that the data provided by the host 100 is not intended fox a RFID
printer
(that is, if the received data does not include RFID data), the non-RFID
printer 120
then prints the received data on a non-RFID record member.
FIGURE 2B is a block diagram representing a non-RFID printer, such as non-
RFID printer 120, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention. A
typical non-RFID printer usable in and with the present invention is
essentially as
disclosed in U.S. patent 5,833,377. The non-RFID printer 120 illustratively
includes a
printing system 18' with a print head such as a thermal print head 20' or the
like. The
printing system 18' also includes a motor 22' that drives a web of record
members
1202 (FIGURE 12) such as labels, tags, packing slips, etc., via one or more
rollers (not
shown) past the print head 20' in order to print data thereon. Data printed by
the print
head 20' can include barcode and/or alpha-numeric information.
In the illustrative embodiment of FIGURE 2B, the non-RFID printer 120
includes a number of input devices mounted in its housing. These input devices
include a communication interface 30' and a keypad 38'. In an illustrative
22


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
embodiment, the communication interface 30' includes a radio frequency
transceiver
32' and/or one or more communication ports 34' such as an RS 232 port, a
serial port, a
parallel port, an 802.11 b port, an 802.3 port, a USB port, etc. The
communication
interface 30' allows the non-RFID printer 120 to communicate with a host
device, such
as host 100, to receive data therefrom or to transmit transaction data
thereto. The
communication interface 30' allows the non-RFID printer 120 to communicate
with
the host in real time. Alternatively, the non-RFID printer 120 may be operated
off line
such that the data received from a host is stored in a look-up table or the
like in a
memory of the printer for later use. Similarly, data can be entered via one or
more of
the input devices, stored in a memory of the printer and later transmitted
with a batch
of data records to a host via a communication port 34'. In an illustrative
embodiment
of the present invention, the non-RFID printer 120 is couplable to RFID
printer 110
through the communication interface 30'. In various embodiments, the non-RFID
printer 120 can communicate with the RFID printer 110 by way of the radio
frequency
transceiver 32' or one of the communication ports 34'. In an illustrative
embodiment,
if the non-RFID printer 120 receives print data that is intended for a RFID
printer, that
is, print data that includes RFID data, the non-RFID printer 120 forwards such
data to
the RFID printer 110 for printing via the communication interface 30'.
In the illustrative embodiment represented in FIGURE 2B, the non-RFID
printer 120 includes a plurality of keys 38'. In an illustrative embodiment,
the keys 38'
include a keypad and a trigger key. The keypad may be utilized to enter alpha-
numeric data to the printer 120. Alternatively, the keypad may have only a
limited
number of keys that are actuable in accordance with information depicted on a
display
44' for selecting a number of operations of the printer, for example, feeding
a web of
record members through the printer 120, displaying status information, etc.
The
trigger key may be actuable by a user in various modes of the printer 120 to
actuate the
printing system 18'. Alternatively, one or more of these devices can be
actuated
automatically by a controller 46' of the printer 120 in accordance with a
stored
application program. In addition to displaying status information or data
entered via
the keyboard, the display 44' may also be controlled to provide prompts to the
user to
actuate the trigger key and/or other keys so as to control various operations
of the
printer 120.
23


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
The non-RFID printer 120 includes a controller 46' that includes a
microprocessor 48' and a memory 50'. The memory SO' includes non-volatile
memory
such as flash memory 52' and/or a ROM 54' such as the EEPROM. The memory 50'
also includes a RAM 56' for storing and manipulating data. In accordance with
a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microprocessor 48' controls
the
operations of the non-RFID printer 120 in accordance with an application
program that
is stored in the flash memory 52'. The microprocessor 48' may operate directly
in
accordance with the application program. Alternatively, the microprocessor 48'
can
operate indirectly in accordance with the application program as interpreted
by an
interpreter program stored in the memory 54' or another area of the flash
memory 52'.
The microprocessor 48' is operable to select an input device 32', 34' or 38'
to
receive data therefrom and to manipulate the received data and/or combine it
with data
received from a different input source in accordance with a stored application
program.
The microprocessor 48' couples the selected, combined and/or manipulated data
to the
printing system 18' for printing on a record member. Similarly, the
microprocessor
48' can select the same or different data for storage in a transaction record
in the RAM
56' and for uploading via the communication interface 30' to a host 100.
According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the
controller
46' receives data that is to be printed on a record member. This data can be
received
from either of input devices 30' and 38'. In some instances, such received
data may
include RFID data that is to be encoded to a RFID transponder associated with
a
record member. In other instances, this data may not include any RFID data,
but
rather comprise only data that is to be printed on a conventional non-RFID
record
member. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the controller
46'
determines whether the received data includes RFID data. In an illustrative
embodiment, the input data stream contains markers that indicate whether the
input
data comprises RFID data and these markers are used by the controller 46' to
determine what to do with the input data. If the received data includes RFID
data, the
controller 46' transmits the received data to a second printer, such as RFID
printer 110,
for printing, illustratively via communication interface 30'. If the received
data does
not include RFID data, the controller 46' controls the printing system 18' to
print the
data on a record member in the web of record members.
24


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
In this embodiment of the present invention, if the RFID printer 110 receives
input data, it determines whether or not the received data includes RFID data.
If the
received data does not include RFID data, the RFID printer 110 transmits the
received
data to the non-RFID printer 120. The non-RFID printer 120 then prints the
received
data on a non-RFID record member. If, on the other hand, the RFID printer 110
determines that the data provided by the host 100 is intended for a RFID
printer (that
is, if the received data includes RFID data), the RFID printer 110 then
produces a
RFID record member according to the received data. Thus, the RFID printer 110
will
encode a RFID transponder associated with a given record member in the web of
record members, and, if the received data further includes data that is to be
printed on
the associated record member, will print said data on the associated record
member.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a system analogous to the
system of FIGURE 1 is implemented with one printer instead of two. In this
alternative embodiment, the printer is a dual mode RFID printer that is
illustratively
configured in the same way as the RFID printer shown in FIGURE 2A, except for
the
fact that the printer is capable of holding two separate webs of record
members. One
of the webs comprises record members that have RFID transponders embedded
thereon and another web comprises "conventional" record members that do not
have
RFID transponders embedded thereon. The printer includes a RFID reader/writer
that
is capable of encoding the RFID transponders disposed on the web that
comprises
RFID record members. In this alternative embodiment of the present invention,
the
host 100, or one of the input devices 30 or 38, provides input data to the
dual mode
printer. The input data provided to the dual mode printer may include data
that is
intended for a RFID record member or may alternatively include data that is
intended
for a non-RFID record member (that is, a conventional record member that does
not
have a RFID transponder thereon). Data that is intended for a RFID record
member
will include data that is to be encoded to the RFID transponder in an
associated record
member, and may also include data that is to be printed on the associated
record
member. Data that is intended for a non-RFID record member will include data
that is
to be printed on a record member and will not include RFID data to be encoded
in a
RFID transponder.
According to this embodiment of the present invention, the dual mode printer
is
capable of determining whether the data provided by the host 100 is intended
for a


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
RFID record member or for a non-RFID record member. In other words, the dual
mode printer determines whether the received data includes RFID data or not.
If the
received data does include RFID data, the dual mode printer processes the job
employing the web contained therein which comprises RFID record members,
thereby
producing a RFID record member according to the received data. Thus, the dual
mode
printer will encode a RFID transponder associated with a given record member
in the
web of RFID record members, and, if the received data further includes data
that is to
be printed on the associated record member, will print said data on the
associated
RFID record member. If, on the other hand, the dual mode printer determines
that the
data provided by the host 100 is not intended for a RFID record member (that
is, if the
received data does not include RFID data), the dual mode printer prints the
received
data on a non-RFID record member contained in the web of non-RFID record
members.
FIGURE 10 illustrates a printer with a pair of rolls R1 and R2 of respective
composite label webs W 1 and W2, according to an exemplary embodiment of a
dual
mode printer of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the
rolls
R1 and R2 have respective cores, with core C2 being visible in FIGURE 10. In
an
alternative embodiment, coreless rolls can be used. The web W1 has labels L1
releasably adhered by pressure sensitive adhesive to a flexible carrier web
CW1, and
the web W2 has labels L2 releasably adhered by pressure sensitive adhesive A
to a
flexible carrier web CW2. The webs W1 and W2 of rolls R1 and R2 are identical
except that one of the webs comprises RFID record members, each record member
having a RFID transponder disposed thereon, while the other web comprises
"conventional," non-RFID, record members. For example, the labels Ll can be
RFID
labels and the labels L2 can be non-RFID labels. FIGURE 10 illustrates the
label web
W2 as being threaded along a path having a center line CL2 from the roll R2 to
between a print head 1058 and a platen roll 1074. The print head 1058 is
illustrated to
be a thermal print head having a straight line of individual or dot heating
elements,
however, other types of print heads can be used instead. The print head 1058
is shown
to be elongate and essentially fixed in place or stationary except the print
head 1058 is
resiliently mounted with respect to the platen roll 1074. The web W 1 is shown
extending outwardly away from the roll R1 by the phantom lines PL' because
only one
web W 1 or W2 at a time is threaded to pass between the print head 1058 and
the platen
26


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
roll 1074. Thus, if the web W 1 were threaded to pass along a path as shown in
FIGURE 1 by phantom lines PL', the web W2 would remain on the roll R2 and
would
not be threaded between the print head 1058 and the platen roll 1074. The
centerline
of the path for the web W 1 is shown to be CL 1. The centerlines CL 1 and CL2
pass
through longitudinally spaced registration marks 1000 on the webs W 1 and W2,
there
being one registration mark 1000 per label. The web W2 is shown in FIGURE 10
with
a U-shaped bend to expose the registration marks 1000. The rolls Rl and R2 are
preferably disposed in side-by-side relationship as shown, and also the rolls
R1 and R2
are preferably disposed on a common axis A1, although other relationships and
dispositions can be used. The webs Wl and W2 and their center lines CLl and
CL2
are shown to be parallel. The webs W 1 and W2 can move longitudinally in label
paths
that extend between the elongate transversely extending print head 1058 and
the platen
roll 1074. The web W1 would be printed by only that portion 1058(1) of the
print
head 1058 which lies along the label web path of the label web W1, and
likewise the
web W2 would be printed by only that portion 1058(2) of the print head 1058
which
lies along the label path of the label web W2. The printer of FIGURE 10 has a
RFID
system as disclosed in FIGURE 3 for reading from or writing to a transponder T
in the
web W1, but in other respects, the printer is the same as disclosed in U.S.
Patent
Application Serial No. 10/640,071, filed August 13, 2003.
In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, in order to sequence
the
RFID supply to the non-RFID supply, the printer that receives the data to be
printed
and/or encoded to RFID transponders coordinates the printing of the RFID
record
members and the non-RFID record members is further operable to coordinate the
printing such that identifying indicia such as sequential numbers are printed
to both the
printed RFID record members and the printed non-RFID record members. Thus in
the
illustrative embodiment, such as in FIGURE 8, whereby the RFID printer
receives the
data to be printed and either prints the data on RFID record members or
transmits the
data to non-RFID printer 120, the controller 46 of the RFID printer 110 is
operable to
control the print head 20 of the RFID printer 110, and to provide instructions
to the
non-RFID printer 120, such that for example sequential numbers are printed on
record
members by the print head 20 of the RFID printer 110 and by the non-RFID
printer
120 in a sequence corresponding to a sequence that data to be printed is
received by
the controller 46. In the illustrative embodiment, such as in FIGURE 9,
whereby the
27


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
non-RFID printer 120 receives the data to be printed and either prints the
data on non-
RFID record members or transmits the data to RFID printer 110, the controller
46 of
the non-RFID printer 120 is operable to control the print head 20 of the non-
RFID
printer 120, and to provide instructions to the RFID printer 110, such that
sequential
numbers are printed on record members by the print head 20 and by the RFID
printer
110 in a sequence corresponding to a sequence that data to be printed is
received by
the controller 46. In the dual mode printer embodiment, whereby the dual mode
printer receives the data to be printed and prints the data on either RFID
record
members or non-RFID record members contained within the dual mode printer, the
controller 46 of the dual mode printer is operable to control the print head
20 such that
sequential numbers are printed on both RFID and non-RFID record members in a
sequence corresponding to the sequence that data to be printed is received by
the
controller 46.
Printing of both the data and the associating indicia are preferably done at
the
same time, namely, the data are printed on the RFID record members of the RFID
web
while the web is advancing, and data are printed on the non-RFID record
members of
the non-RFID web while the web is advancing. Even if a printer is used in
which the
RFID web and/or the non-RFID web are stationary during printing, the data and
the
associating indicia are nevertheless preferably printed at the same time or
substantially
simultaneously or simultaneously. It is not required that the RFID printer and
the non-
RFID printer print at the same time. Recitation of a step for printing data
and a step
for printing associating indicia in any claim is not intended to limit the
invention to the
interpretation that the printing of data and associating indicia are performed
separately
or are separate steps.
FIGURE 11 is a functional block diagram representing an alternative embodiment
of the present invention, wherein a separate controller 105 receives the input
data stream
from host 100 and selectively directs the input data to either the RFID
printer 110 or the
non-RFID printer 120. In an illustrative embodiment, the controller 105 is a
box having
communication ports via which the controller is couplable to RFID printer 110
and non-
RFID printer 120. If the controller 105 determines that received data includes
RFID data
to be encoded to a RFID transponder disposed on a record member, the
controller directs
that data to the RFID printer 110, which proceeds to encode said RFID data to
a RFID
transponder disposed on a record member. If said data further includes
printing data that
28


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
is to be printed to the record member associated with the RFID transponder
that is
encoded, the RFID printer 110 prints such data to the associated record
member. If the
controller 105 determines that received data does not include RFID data to be
encoded to a
RFID transponder disposed on a record member, the controller directs that data
to the non-
RFID printer 120, which proceeds to print a record member in accordance with
the
received input data. In one embodiment, the controller 105 provides
instructions to the
RFID printer 110 and the non-RFID printer 120. Said instructions instruct the
RFID
printer 110 and the non-RFID printer 120 to print sequential numbers on their
respective
record members in a sequence in which input data is received by the
controller. In
accordance with these instructions, the RFID printer 110 and the non-RFID
printer 120
print sequential numbers on their respective record members in the sequence
indicated by
the controller 105.
In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the RFID printer 110
and
the non-RFID printer 120 are both capable of printing associating indicia on
their
respective members. In an illustrative embodiment, these associating indicia
associate
record members printed by the RFID printer 110 with record members printed by
the non-
RFID printer 120. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the
associating
indicia comprise numbers that associate record members printed by the RFID
printer 110
with record members printed by the non-RFID printer 120. However, in
alternative
embodiments, the associating indicia can comprise graphical symbols other than
numbers.
FIGURE 12 demonstrates this aspect of the present invention. FIGURE 12 shows
RFID
printer 110 and non-RFID printer 120. RFID printer 110 produces a web 1201 of
record
members 1203-1218. Non-RFID printer produces a web 1202 of record members 1219-

1234. The record members 1203-1218 of the web 1201 produced by the RFID
printer 110
have RFID transponders 1240 thereon. For the sake of clarity, the RFID
transponders
1240 are only labeled as such for record members 1215 and 1216, but FIGURE 12
shows
that the other record members 1203-1214, 1217, 1218 also include RFID
transponders.
The record members produced by the RFID printer 110 and the non-RFID printer
120
include data 1250 that is printed on the record members by the printers 110
and 120. In
FIGURE 12 this data is shown as bar code data, but the printed data 1250 can
include any
form of data. For the sake of clarity, the bar code data 1250 are only labeled
as such for
record members 1211 and 1212, but FIGURE 12 shows that the other record
members
1203-1210, 1213-1234 also include bar code data.
29


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
In many situations, there is a need to associate certain record members that
are
printed by the RFID printer 110 with certain record members that are printed
by the non-
RFID printer 120. For example, it may be desired to produce a RFID label that
is to be
placed on a container or box and to produce non-RFID labels that are to be
placed on
items that are to be placed in that container or box. Therefore, according to
an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention, the record members produced by the RFID
printer
110 and the non-RFID printer 120 include indicia that associate certain record
members
printed by the RFID printer 110 with certain record members that are printed
by the non-
RFID printer 120. In FIGURE 12, the associating indicia are numbers, in
particular,
sequential numbers shown printed in, for example, the upper right corner of
each record
member. In FIGURE 12, there are certain sets of record members printed by the
RFID
printer 110 that include the same data (in this case, the same bar codes). For
example,
record members 1215, 1216, 1217 and 1218 each have the same bar code printed
thereon.
These four record members make up a set of record members that is indicated in
FIGURE
12 as set 1,1. This set designation refers to the first set of record members
produced by
the RFID printer 110. Similarly, set 2,1 refers to the second set produced by
the RFID
printer 110, which set consists solely of record member 1214. Set 3,1 refers
to the third
set produced by the RFID printer 110 (comprising record members 1212 and
1213), and so
on. The RFID printer 110 prints a unique indicium, namely the number 5, on
each of the
record members 1215-1218 of set 1,1. Similarly, the RFID printer 110 prints a
number 6,
on the sole record member 1219 of set 2,1. The RFID printer 110 prints a
number 7 on
each of the record members 1212 and 1213 of set 3,1, and other unique members
such as
8, 9 and 10 on other sets through set 6.1, and so on.
The term "related" indicium or indicia can alternatively include series of
sequential
numbers. For example, Set l,l record members could bear indicia 1, 2, 3 and 4,
and Set
1,2 record members could bear the same indicia 1, 2, 3 and 4; Set 2,1 record
members
could bear the indicium 5, and Set 2,2 record members could bear the indicium
5, and so
on. Alternatively, Set 1,1 record members could bear indicia 1, 2, 3 and 4 and
set 1,2
record members could bear the indicia 5, 6, 7 and 8; Set 2,1 record members
could bear
the indicium 9, and Set 2,2 record members could bear the indicia 10, 11, 12,
and so on.
In any case, the indicia are related in a significant way even though the
indicia differ from
each other.


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
In FIGURE 12, each set of record members in the web 1201 printed by the RFID
printer 110 that include the same printed data have an associated set of
record members
that are printed by the non-RFID printer 120 and that include related printed
data.
According to the present invention, the non-RFID printer 120 prints an
indicium on the
record members that it produces, associating each record member with its
associated
record members printed by the RFID printer 110. For example, record members
1231-
1234 each have the same bar code printed thereon as the record members 1215-
1218 of set
1,1. These four record members 1231-1234 make up a set of record members that
is
indicated in FIGURE 12 as set 1,2. This set designation refers to the first
set of record
members produced by the non-RFID printer 120. Similarly, set 2,1 refers to the
second set
produced by the non-RFID printer 120 (comprising record members 1228-1230),
and so
on. The non-RFID printer 120 prints the indicium, namely the number 5, on each
of the
record members 1231-1234 of set 1,2. This number 5 is the same indicium that
is printed
on the record members 1215-1218 of set 1,1 by the RFID printer 110, since the
record
members of set 1,1 and 1,2 contain the related, in particular, the same
printed data (e.g. bar
codes as shown and/or other information). Similarly, the non-RFID printer 120
prints the
number 6 on each of the record members 1228-1230 of set 2,2. This number 6 is
the same
indicium that is printed on the record member 1214 set 2,1 by the RFID printer
110, since
the record members of set 2,2 and 2,1 contain the same printed data (e.g. bar
codes as
shown and/or other, information). The non-RFID printer 120 prints a unique
indicium
such as a number 7 on each of the record members 1225-1227 of set 3,2, and so
on.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the RFID printer 110
and
non-RFID printer 120 print the associating indicia on only one record member
of each set.
In one such alternative embodiment, the RFID printer 110 and non-RFID printer
120 print
the associating indicia on the first record member of each set. In said
embodiment, in
FIGURE 12 the RFID printer 110 prints the associating indicia on only record
members
1218, 1214, 1213, 1211, 1209 and 1206, and the non-RFID printer prints the
associating
indicia on only record members 1234, 1230, 1227, 1224, 1222 and 1220. In
another
alternative embodiment, the associating indicia are printed on only the last
record member
of each set.
According to the present invention, the above described method and system of
printing associating indicia on record members can be employed whether or not
data such
as bar code data are printed on the record members.
31


CA 02521566 2005-09-28
FIGURE 13 is a flowchart representing a method of adding sequence numbers or
other associating indicia to record members produced by the RFID printer 110
and the
non-RFID printer 120. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention,
the steps
shown in FIG. 13 take place between blocks 800 and 810 in FIGURE 8. At step
1300,
print data and associated print job parameters are received at a printer, such
as RFID
printer 110 or non-RFID printer 120. Illustratively, such data is received via
input devices
such as communication interface 30 or keypad 38. At step 1310, it is
determined whether
associating indicia are to be added to a record member. If associating data
are to be added,
at step 1320, the white space is determined. At step 1330, a non-volatile
sequential
counter is incremented. At step 1340, the field is formatted. From there the
printing
process proceeds as shown at step 810 of FIGURE 8. At step 1310, if it is
determined that
no associating indicium is to be added, the printing process proceeds as shown
at step 810
of FIGURE 8.
The term "RFID writer" designates hardware andlor software that can at least
write data into RFID transponders. A "RFID reader/writer" designates hardware
and/or software that can both write data to and read data from RFID
transponders. Use
of the term "RFID writer" herein does not exclude a RFID reader/writer which
has
both reading and writing capabilities.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in
light
of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of
the
appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described
hereinabove.
32

Representative Drawing